1. Section 2 Union, Intersection, and Complement of Events, Odds
Chapter 8 Probability
Section 2
Union, Intersection, and Complement of Events, Odds

2. Objectives for Section 8.2
Union, Intersection, Complement of Events; Odds
The student will be able to determine the union and intersection of events.
The student will be able to determine the complement of an event.
The student will be able to determine the odds of an event.
The student will be able to solve applications of empirical probability.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

3. Union, Intersection, Complement of Events; Odds
In this section, we will develop the rules of probability for compound events (more than one simple event) and will discuss probabilities involving the union of events as well as intersection of two events.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

4. Union and Intersection of Events
If A and B are two events in a sample space S, then the union of A and B, denoted by A  B, and the intersection of A and B, denoted by A  B, are defined as follows:
A  B = {e  S | e  A or e  B}
A  B = {e  S | e  A and e  B}
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

5. Number of Events in the Union
The number of events in the union of A and B is equal to the number in A plus the number in B minus the number of events that are in both A and B.
Sample space S
n(A  B) = n(A) + n(B) – n(A  B)
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

6. Addition Rule
If you divide both sides of the equation by n(S), the number of simple events in the sample space, we can convert the equation to an equation of probabilities:
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

7. Example of Addition Rule
A single card is drawn from a deck of cards. Find the probability that the card is a jack or club.
Set of Jacks
Set of Clubs
Jack and Club (jack of Clubs)
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

8. Example of Addition Rule
A single card is drawn from a deck of cards. Find the probability that the card is a jack or club.
Set of Jacks
Set of Clubs
Jack and Club (jack of Clubs)
P(J or C) = P(J) + P(C) – P(J and C)
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

9. Union of Mutually Exclusive Events
A single card is drawn from a deck of cards. Find the probability that the card is a king or a queen.
Kings
Queens
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

10. Union of Mutually Exclusive Events
A single card is drawn from a deck of cards. Find the probability that the card is a king or a queen.
The events King and Queen are mutually exclusive. They cannot occur at the same time. So the probability of King and Queen is zero.
Kings
Queens
4/52 + 4/52 – 0 = 8/52 = 2/13
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

11. Mutually Exclusive Events
If A and B are mutually exclusive then
The intersection of A and B is the empty set. B A
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

12. Using a Table to List Outcomes of an Experiment
Three coins are tossed.  Assume they are fair coins.  Tossing three coins is the same experiment as tossing one coin three times. There are two outcomes on the first toss, two outcomes on the second toss and two outcomes on toss three. Use the multiplication principle to calculate the total number of outcomes: (2)(2)(2) = 8
Each row of the table consists of a simple event of the sample space. The indicated row, for instance, illustrates the outcome ({heads, heads, tails}, in that order.) h t
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

13. Using a Table (continued)
To find the probability of at least two tails, we mark each row (outcome) that contains two tails or three tails and divide the number of marked rows by 8 (number in the sample space) Since there are four outcomes that have at least two tails, the (theoretical) probability is 4/8 or ½ . h t
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

14. Example
Two dice are tossed. What is the probability of a sum greater than 8, or doubles?
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

15. Example Solution
Two dice are tossed. What is the probability of a sum greater than 8, or doubles? P(S > 8 or doubles) = P(S > 8) + P(doubles) – P(S > 8 and doubles)
= 10/36 + 6/36 – 2/36 = 14/36 = 7/18.
(1,1), (1,2), (1,3), (1,4), (1,5) (1,6)
(2,1), (2,2), (2,3), (2,4), (2,5), (2,6)
(3,1), (3,2), (3,3), (3,4), (3,5), (3,6)
(4,1), (4,2), (4,3), (4,4), (4,5), (4,6)
(5,1), (5,2), (5,3), (5,4), (5,5), (5,6)
(6,1), (6,2), (6,3), (6,4), (6,5), (6,6)
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

16. Complement of an Event
Suppose that we divide a finite sample space S = {e1,…, en} into two subsets E and E’ such that E  E’ = . That is, E and E’ are mutually exclusive, and E  E’ = S.
Then E’ is called the complement of E relative to S. Thus, E’ contains all the elements of S that are not in E, as below. S E’ E
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

17. Complement Rule
Many times it is easier to compute the probability that A won’t occur, then the probability of event A:
Example: What is the probability that when two dice are tossed, the number of points on each die will not be the same?
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

18. Complement Rule
Many times it is easier to compute the probability that A won’t occur, then the probability of event A:
Example: What is the probability that when two dice are tossed, the number of points on each die will not be the same?
This is the same as saying that doubles will not occur. Since the probability of doubles is 6/36 = 1/6, then the probability that doubles will not occur is 1 – 6/36 = 30/36 = 5/6.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

19. Odds
In certain situations, such as the gaming industry, it is customary to speak of the odds in favor of an event E and the odds against E. The definitions are
Odds in favor of event E =
Odds against E =
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

20. Odds (continued)
Example: Find the odds in favor of rolling a seven when two dice are tossed.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

21. Odds (continued)
Example: Find the odds in favor of rolling a seven when two dice are tossed.
Solution: The probability of a sum of seven is 6/36. The probability of the complement is 30/36. So, =
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

22. Empirical Probability Example
The data on the next slide was obtained from a random survey of 1,000 residents of a state. The participants were asked their political affiliations and their preferences in an upcoming gubernatorial election (D = Democrat, R = Republican, U = Unaffiliated. )
If a resident of the state is selected at random, what is the empirical probability that the resident is not affiliated with a political party or has no preference?
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

23. Empirical Probability Example (continued)
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

24. Empirical Probability Example Solution
P(unaffiliated or has no preference) = P(unaffiliated) + P(has no preference) – P(unaffiliated and has no preference) =
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e

25. Law of Large Numbers
In mathematical statistics, an important theorem called the law of large numbers is proved. It states that the approximate empirical probability can be made as close to the actual probability as we please by making the sample sufficiently large.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Finite Mathematics 12e